April Appreciation AF - week 1

[rebirth]

April Appreciation AF - week 1

Hello lovely folks,

A warm congratulations to Lav. It certainly is your year to shine as a grandmother! Have a lovely day all. x

[Stargazerlily]

April Appreciation AF - week 1

Congratulations Lav, what a beautiful child, enjoy, enjoy.

Thanks everyone for comments about the warm weather.....it can be a time to relax outside with drinks, but as Jolie pointed out, AF drinks. I am into teas and will just buy another new pitcher and maybe have two pitchers of iced tea readily available. There. With lemons or limes for added zest.

OK Chill, you made facebook sound exciting and fun....and paguy, of course, like cell phones, some individuals use common sense, others are just out of control and commit the sin of tmi (too much information). I'll have to think about it. I do want to try and figure out how to upload or download pictures. I need a computer class to update my skills.

Last night we celebrated a birthday out to dinner. It was a weeknight and the specials included a cheesecake martini. I noticed people at the bar, just having one. Ha. I had my tea and was very content. Unfortunately, the extra food upset my stomach and I was up alot last night. I don't know how I managed in the past. Now, my system is so delicate, and I do better eating at home. But, it was fun and I had a lovely time, AF.

To all, sending you love and peace, AF.

[rustop61]

April Appreciation AF - week 1

Good morning everyone

Lav - Congratulations on your beautiful grandson. Seeing your pictures makes me look forward to another phase in my life. I am so grateful that I have stopped killing myself slowly with Al and will hopefully live to enjoy that phase. You are an inspiration.

John - Good luck in NY. I didnt like it the first time I visited but last time it wasnt so bad and I was only there for a few days so that helped.

Rusty - Glad you checked in and shared, you always cheer me up. Good luck on your travels.

Star - I always associate beer with BBQ's. It's from when we lived in Canada. Because I am always driving it has gotten me out of the habit of having wine etc. with meals which is a good thing.

Regarding Facebook, I am a bit like John. I use it to wish family happy St. Patricks Day etc. but never, ever post what I am doing. Personally I find those kind of posts boring, who cares what you had for breakfast. I like being able to have more contact with friends away. One of my friends from Canada became a grandmother and I was able to see the pictures which is nice. Like anything you need to be careful what you put and when. A well known broadcaster died suddenly here last year and somebody tweeted about it before family members were all notified so that is the downside.

Daughter did ok in her oral, not as good as the mocks but she was very nervous. Other daughter is gearing up for horsey season so I am out towing a horsebox again. I hate it but this is the last summer she has him so I will let her enjoy it and just suck it up.

Hi to everyone I have not mentioned and have a great Thursday.

Rustop

[dill]

April Appreciation AF - week 1

"Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So... get on your way!"~ Dr. Suess

Lav, Congratulations! You're family is so blessed this year.

It's a busy day at work for me and I am short on time this morning. I have read all the posts and am so glad to hear from each of you. Glad you checked in Rusty, it's been awhile! And Rebirth, it's always nice to see you, too.

Have a good Thursday!

[Rusty]

April Appreciation AF - week 1

Good Morning Friends,

Guess where I am as I type this? HOME! :yay: I am soooo grateful to be able to share my morning coffee with you guys. I just can't stay away. I tried, and I failed...but I'm glad that's one promise I couldn't keep.

Star-good for you for being AF at dinner last night. You are a model of strength, I tell you. You asked about FB and I don't do FB. I simply am not interested and I don't have the time anyway. Like John said, who cares if someone is going to the mall? If I want to know how someone is, I'll pick up the phone because I like to hear a voice. Good thing my mom doesn't mind that sometimes I call her 3x in a day because I miss her. You also asked about whether seasons are a trigger for drinking. OH YES! Summer for me....because I live in a very popular and beautiful resort area, and I live close to the beach which is dotted with bars on the waterfront. Summer of 2008 was the darkest place for me. My mother was going through chemotherapy for colon cancer and I was in the depths of sorrow....unable to help her and terrified I would lose her. I would go to one of the waterfront bars and then come home and bawl my eyes out. Now, this summer, I never want to waste a beautiful day drinking....accomplishing nothing.....enjoying nothing, appreciating nothing.

John-congratulations on your victory in the 5K:goodjob: When is your next race?

Rustop-congratulations to your daughter in finishing her oral exams. I bet she did well. One of your daughter rides? I used to compete in dressage and I'm thinking of getting back into it....at the age of 50.

Dill-I love your Dr. Seuss quote. I'm smiling as I write this...green eggs and ham.

Cyn-are you changing careers? I can't remember.

A cheery hello to Lav, Chill, Sooty, Jolie, Rebirth, Papmom, Newgrange and everyone who stops by, have a wonderful AF Thursday!

[Lavande]

April Appreciation AF - week 1

Good morning April friends!

Where did the sun go???
Oh well, I'll turn on all the lights!

I'm on Facebook for a couple of reasons. I have family living all over the country & I find it easier to keep up with the nieces & nephews on FB. They are having their own kids now & I love seeing the pics. I also keep in touch with several old work friends on FB. Star, if you have pics stored on your computer, uploading them to FB is simple - they walk you right thru it. I put a pic of the new baby on there last night.

Greetings rebirth, Rustop, John, Dill, cyn, Jolie, papmom, Newgrange & anyone I missed.

Rusty, glad you are home sweet home

Wishing everyone a terrific AF Thursday. I need to get the animal care done around here then a bit or work

Lav

[Dewdrop]

April Appreciation AF - week 1

Evening everyone,

Well surprise, surprise I had a really good day today at work and the stressful time I was expecting didn?t materialise. I meditated last night before bed on a peaceful and productive day visualising it going well and low and behold that was how it turned out, I am sure Chill will agree that the Universe was looking out for me and/or her positive vibes came my way I met up with my Manager at one point for a coaching session and he gave me ?100 worth of Marks & Spencer?s vouchers as Reward & Recognition for a piece of work I did recently in addition to my job!! And I managed to finish work early at 3:30 so was able to get another 5 miles in before dinner. Wayhay !!

I am trying to do at least 5 miles power walking 4 times a week to build up my stamina and increase my times. Last week I was doing 15 minute miles and this week I?ve got them down to 14 minute miles, my aim is to be doing them in 12 minutes so I can do the 5 miles in 1 hour but that will take a while. I would be faster obviously if I jogged or ran the 5 miles but I feel that is too much stress on my joints although I did jog home one morning last week because it started raining. I?m sure John will think I?m a woose walking when I could be running! I have a 13 mile charity walk on the 29th May so I?m in practice for that I just feel having a goal of shorter times and increasing the miles will keep me focussed and give me something to aim for otherwise I?d be dawdling along at a snails pace watching the world go by Over the next few weekends I plan on getting in 2 x 5 miles on a Saturday or Sunday one in the morning then one in the evening.

Okay guys no time to catch up with you all individually tonight but I will over the weekend apart from Lav ? aawww lovely picture and congratulations you are so fortunate to have them all so close by, and Rusty it?s so good to hear from you you are as incorrigible as ever :H

Dewdrop :h

[Dewdrop]

April Appreciation AF - week 1

Meant to say I have the MWO hypnotherapy CD?s and I haven?t found them useful for me, but I do know many others have found them very helpful. If there?s anyone on our thread that would like them just PM me your address and I?ll post them to you over the weekend. I?d rather someone got the benefit of them than having them sitting on my desk.

Dewdrop :h

[Lavande]

April Appreciation AF - week 1

Good evening April friends!

Dewdrop, do you have a walking buddy? I would walk outside more if someone was around to tag along. It's kind of desolate & creepy around here sometimes & I never know when I'm going to run into a wild goat or cow or something :H
Seriously, an older woman fell off her horse just a few months ago. She was too far from my house to see her - I just saw the riderless horse run past my house
I'll hop on the treadmill tomorrow.

I hear rain is on the way tomorrow anyway so indoor walking is a good idea for me
Hope everyone has a good AF night!

Still in NYC John? Stay safe!
Lav

[paguy]

April Appreciation AF - week 1

Good Evening Friends:

Wrapping up my visit to NYC this evening and then head home tomorrow afternoon and will be ready for the weekend. Sounds like our government maybe shutting down tomorrow? Politics, politics, politics ARGH!

Dew - I'm all about keeping moving so whether you are walking, power walking, swimming, etc. you go for it.

I'm reading a book called "Mastering the Marathon.. for the 40-plus athlete" and it talks about replacing running with other types of cross-training activities. It has peaked my interest and I am going to consider reducing the number of days I run from 5 to 3 and add more cross training to my regimen. We'll see how that works.

Rusty - I have several more races lined up - Spring is the season. My next 5K is on April 16 and then I have a 10-mile on May 1 and then 3 more 5K's: May 8, May 28 and June 6.

I had an interesting flashback and revelation this morning as I was taking the crowded hotel elevator down to the lobby. I recalled how I used to 'hold my breath' in situations like that before for fear that someone would smell my 'morning after an evening of alcohol' breath and I suddenly realized that Yes... I can breath again! It felt great. It's amazing how
I am still picking up on behavior changes pre and post alcohol.

Wishing you all strength and peace this evening...

[Chillgirl]

April Appreciation AF - week 1

Good morning my friends

Where is Papmom? Today she is 11 months AF! Awesome awesome awesome! I remember when I hit 11 months I felt really nervous. You realize that the next ones a biggy and I didn't feel in anyway ready to graduate to the big school. But of course life gently pushes you along so Papmom I hope you are feeling extra good today. You are an amazing success story and a wonderful asset to this site. CONGRATULATIONS!

Rusty - thanks for the reminder of how emotionally crippling our drinking was, let's celebrate every wonderful sober moment in appreciation that these wasted days are over.

Dewdrop - What a great example of how we can talk ourselves into stress before it even happens. I'm so glad your day turned out so well. I used to do a lot of walking and one year did the London moonwalk marathon. My average was 13 min miles.

Paguy - I used to also run every day in my previous life but these days my knees can't take it anymore hence the cycling instead, it's kinder to my joints. Sometimes I do miss the sheer freedom of being able to just run anywhere. Talking of NY, last time I was there I ran in central park, one of these "must do" things on my list.

I have actually been thinking about my bucket list a lot recently and of course now I'm leaving I'm thinking of all the places I should have visited in Spain & Portugal while I was here. The trouble is to travel costs money and I'm not going to be able to do them before I leave. One thing that has come up, is that I want to skydive! I have always been terrified of the thought of it but recently decided I want to know what it feels like to fall through the air. Has anyone tried it?

[Stargazerlily]

April Appreciation AF - week 1

Skydive, Chill? Not me, I am afraid of heights to an extent and that is not something I could do. Doing anything fun this weekend? Hope you get some nibbles on renting your house.

[Stargazerlily]

April Appreciation AF - week 1

Whoops, I hit something on my computer before I was done.

Rusty, glad you are home, enjoy your weekend. You are one hard worker!! The summer of 2008 sounds so sad and stressful. I know I drank alot when my mom had cancer, too. Looking back I realize it did nothing to help me, just made me more depressed. It is so great that we are learning that we can ask for help and support, AF. I can be depressed or sad and deal with it, it goes away after a time. I also can deal with feeling happy, peaceful, joyful, calm whatever feelings I have. They just are. When drinking it seems there are such highs and lows. Hard to deal with.

Dewdrop, what a good idea to visualize and meditate positive happenings for the next day. I think I am going to start doing that when I go to bed at night, and see what happens. I was also inspired by your exercise regimen. AF and taking care of yourself.

I am very thoughtful this morning and want to share something. You know, I joined this site originally in 2008, did well for a time, then had many ups and down. I had acutal months and weeks of AF, and really changed from the 4-5 times a week of drinks to maybe once or twice a week. Or even less. However, alcohol was still in my life and at times, I went overboard. Never arrested, drinking in the morning, losing job, or anything like that. Just a slow seeping away of hope every time I drank. Hating myself, feeling anxious, sick, humiliated, disgusted, falling ever deeper into the hole of despair. Today I am 100 days AF and determined to make 2011 AF, totally. I am kind of wary of counting the days, but what the heck. I want what everyone has who is AF, peace, health, honesty, joy, new interests, integrity, and all the other wonderful things I hear described on this site. I feel I am getting there. So, will continue with my daily support here and want to thank all of you for your faithfulness. I count on you. :l

[Chillgirl]

April Appreciation AF - week 1

Star! 100 days! IM SO PROUD OF YOU!!! There has been such a shift in you that is so apparent and wonderful to see.
For me counting days was essential, it made me accountable. I was done with the moderating shit of torturous 2 days AF then going overboard,
that pattern lasted for years and wore me out.
A line had to be drawn and seeing it everyday in my signature helped me not want to blow it.

I think its great to tell yourself that in 2011 you dont drink alcohol, its as simple as that! YOO HOO 100days! :wd::wd::wd:

[rustop61]

April Appreciation AF - week 1

Good morning everyone

What a wonderful way to start the day. The sun is shining, I have had a lovely walk in the woods for an hour with doggies and my friend. Then I come home and logg on with coffee in hand and read, Papmom has 11 months and Star 100 days. Congratulations ladies, you should be so, so proud of yourselves.

Star - As Chill has just said the shift in you is very apparent. I guess we all have our own pattern. Some get the completely AF thing straight off, others it takes longer. The wonderful thing about this particular thread is that there is no judgement, just complete support.

Chill - Skydiving, good for you. Cant say it appeals to me. I am traumatised enough towing this bloody horse box. I never towed anything up to 2 years ago. One of the Mom's at the stables says it is a religious experience every time you go out!! Please God just get me there and back!!

Dewdrop - Thanks for reminding me of the benefits of meditation. I must start again. I have let it go by the wayside and really need it at the moment.

Tired today as I brought my daughter and horse to an event and did not get home until 9.30pm.

Hi to everyone I did not mention and have a great week-end everyone.

Rustop